One man�s trash is Metlhaleng�s treasure
Chippa Legodimo | Friday April 25, 2014 12:13
The Pilane man uses the big horns, which are normally in great abundance, especially in rural areas, to make useful accessories that mirror his artistic aptitude. The art pieces range from cups, bedside lamps, (both paraffin and electric), candle stands, buttons, bracelets as well as interior design pieces.
“I think a lot of people do not appreciate the beauty and the art in animal horns.
But looking at a cow passing by you can just pick that even the way the horns are differently shaped represents a work of art. You can play around with them to produce quite a number of things and even reproduce another horn,” he says.
True to his word, Metlhaleng has created a long curly horn, which at first glance would give an impression it belonged to a large kudu.
Cutting several cattle horns, matching and joining the pieces together, then gluing the final product to a wooden stand has let the artist create a beautiful piece suitable for decorating any living room.
He calls this piece ‘The art of healing’ because caressing the smooth, shiny object can help sooth tension. He moves his palm slowly down his manmade horn to demonstrate the exercise.
Some of the lamps are mounted on either natural wood or flat planks while others are stuck on stone bases, another element that gives them an arty feel. What strikes the eye is the way the simplicity used in creating the pieces making them look sophisticated on completion.
“These horns do not need any polishing, they just shine naturally.
They are my diamonds,” he tells Arts & Culture shyly. According to him animal horns are a dynamic natural resource, which help him unleash his full potential as an artist.
Metlhaleng is a versatile artist who is also good at painting but of late he has been hooked on making use of cattle horns. After years in the trade, he is yet to win a big prize or snatch a top position at an exhibition, but like many an artist his passion for art has powered him on. “Yes like any other person I would love to win and earn respect from colleagues and art critics, but art has never been about competition.
That is why artists come with different designs and works. Maybe my ultimate prize would come once I have fully utilised horns and shown to the world that they are a real treasure,” he said.
Participating in various exhibitions has yielded nothing for Metlhaleng who, however, insists that the interaction with other artists has been beneficial as they exchange ideas in the process.
“I have learnt new techniques. Also new ideas appeared to me after meeting certain individuals because of their creative spirit,” he said.